WASHINGTON STATE - As wildfires continue to impact air quality in the state, funding for wildfire readiness and response remains unstable. The Labor Mountain and Lower Sugarloaf fires are currently burning more than 40,000 acres each in central Washington.

Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove recently spoke about state budget cuts to wildfire prevention and response funding. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now preparing to negotiate with lawmakers to restore this crucial funding.

Pat Sullivan from the Department of Natural Resources emphasized the importance of securing funding.

"Unless we get money in the supplemental budget, it will greatly impact the next several fire seasons and our ability to keep communities safe," Sullivan said.

In 2021, the legislature comm

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